Comments

Chuck392

If Albany really cared, they'd eliminate all the unfunded mandates they place on local governments. That would solve things on the local side. For instance, Medicaid chargebacks. Eliminating this item alone would cut your county real property taxes in half. Now that's substantial. And, for what it's worth, most of the Lundine report suggestions were implemented in this region decades ago - that's where he got the ideas.

DarkStar

And if the State took over all medicaid payments don't you think we would see a jump in the income tax rate to cover those payments?

In addition does anyone really believe that if the county didn't need to make these payments that property taxes would be cut 86%, which is what they always say Medicaid share of our budget is.

I think what would happen is that as soon as the state started working on taking the payments those in power would start looking for ways to spend the "windfall" and would only privide a token tax decrease, if any at all.

While I support the idea of this board unless it has the authority to force changes it will be a waste of money since the locals will rant and rave. Look no further then Westfield hospital if you need proof.